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Flood Fixes, Clearwater Cranes & ZooTampa's Next Move

Flood Fixes, Clearwater Cranes & ZooTampa's Next Move

The money's approved. The cranes are up. Now comes the hard part.

Taylor Gangis
September 23, 2026

REAL TAMPA BAY // SEPT 23, 2026 // DEVELOPMENT DESK

BY TAYLOR GANGIS

A flood-relief vote in South Tampa. A tower coming out of the ground in Clearwater. A major next step for ZooTampa.

This week’s lineup is about what happens after the plans: funding, construction and the work neighborhoods live through along the way. We spent some time at the Sunday market on Water St last weekend and man. What a gorgeous day to hang around, shop local, and grab some grub. Highly recommend.

Back to today. 3 stories. Let’s get it.

IN THIS ISSUE

01 South Howard’s $100.4 million flood project moves toward construction

02 A 28-story Clearwater tower reaches its first elevated pour

03 ZooTampa’s expansion request moves to an October funding vote

04 Development Briefs

05 Weekend Events

01 / LEAD STORY

South Howard’s $100.4 million flood project moves toward construction

A. WHAT HAPPENED

Tampa City Council voted 4–3 on September 17 to approve the South Howard Flood Relief and Streetscape Project’s $100.4 million guaranteed maximum price, moving the long-planned project closer to construction.

B. THE DETAILS

Kimmins Contracting is the design-build team. The official project record says the $100.4 million figure covers design and construction.

The work is broader than a drainage fix. It includes stormwater improvements, water and wastewater work, sidewalks, traffic calming, street parking, landscaping, pervious pavers, lighting and green infrastructure.

Construction is expected to begin after design is completed in late 2026 and take about three years. The project also has a business-assistance plan for the restaurants, shops and other operators that will have to navigate construction.

C. WHY IT MATTERS

South Howard is one of Tampa’s busiest neighborhood corridors, but intense rain can turn parts of it into a problem quickly. The project is meant to reduce flood risk while rebuilding the street above it.

That combination matters. The utility work is essential, but the finished public realm will shape how the district feels and functions for years.

D. MY TAKE

The big test is not whether Tampa can approve a major project. It is whether the city and contractor can keep access clear, communicate block-by-block changes and help local businesses survive a long construction window.

The flood work is necessary. Execution will determine how the neighborhood remembers it.

This issue is brought to you by @realtampabaymedia — original storytelling on the transformation of Tampa Bay.

02 / STORY

A 28-story Clearwater tower reaches its first elevated pour

A. WHAT HAPPENED

The Bluffs, a mixed-use tower rising near Clearwater’s waterfront, reached its first elevated concrete pour on September 16.

B. THE DETAILS

The planned 28-story project includes 400 apartments, more than 10,000 square feet of retail and 440 parking spaces.

Gotham is the developer and Moss is the general contractor. The current project schedule targets a July 2027 top-out and completion in summer 2028.

C. WHY IT MATTERS

This is a visible construction milestone for a project that will add a significant number of residents near downtown Clearwater and the waterfront.

The retail space also matters. Housing can bring people downtown, but active ground-floor uses help determine whether a project contributes to the street or simply adds another tower.

D. MY TAKE

Clearwater’s next chapter will not be decided by height alone. The more important question is whether new residential density connects to a walkable downtown, useful retail and public spaces people actually use.

The Bluffs is now moving from rendering to structure. The next milestones will show how that promise takes shape.

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03 / STORY

ZooTampa’s expansion request moves to an October funding vote

A. WHAT HAPPENED

A majority of Hillsborough County commissioners voted September 16 to direct staff to finalize a proposed public-private partnership with ZooTampa.

B. THE DETAILS

ZooTampa requested $75 million in county support over 15 years and proposed matching that amount dollar for dollar.

A public hearing and funding vote are scheduled for October 7. That means the partnership is advancing, but the funding is not final.

C. WHY IT MATTERS

The decision could shape a major regional attraction for more than a decade. It also raises a basic public-value question: what should residents receive when local government makes a long-term investment in a nonprofit destination?

D. MY TAKE

The match is meaningful, but the public agreement matters just as much as the headline number.

Before a final vote, residents should be able to see the delivery schedule, accountability measures and the specific public benefits tied to the county’s contribution.

04 / DEVELOPMENT BRIEFS

Development Briefs

Tampa is reviewing what it charges to build. City Council is scheduled to workshop a development-fee study September 24. Proposed phase-ins would span five years for Construction Services and three years for zoning and historic-preservation fees, with right-of-way fees considered later. This is a study and workshop, not approval of final rates.

Pinellas County water maintenance is underway. The county is temporarily changing its water-disinfection process through October 10. Customers may notice a different taste or odor, but the county says the water remains safe to drink.

Embarc Collective is expanding into St. Petersburg. Blake Investment Partners made a five-year office-space commitment for the new presence, which will complement Embarc’s Tampa headquarters. An opening date and address have not been announced.

Ballast Point’s public pier is still in the design-procurement stage. Tampa is seeking professional services for assessment, design and permitting. The listed $1.4 million to $1.7 million estimate is for professional services, not the pier’s construction budget.

The Morean Arts Center is pursuing a $33.7 million first phase. A proposed $2.225 million Pinellas County contribution remains a public decision, not completed funding.

Treasure Island is moving forward with a new public-safety facility. The city approved a $10.8 million agreement for the combined police and fire headquarters, with early construction steps planned this fall.

05 / WEEKEND EVENTS

Weekend Events

Come say hey Saturday

We’ll be back at Water Street this Saturday, September 26, for Beats on the Street, with Chromeo headlining a DJ set. The free festival runs 3–9 p.m. across Water Street and Sparkman Wharf, with local music, live art and plenty to explore. We’ll be there covering it, so if you see us with the cameras, come say hey!

Airport-wide Hiring Day: Tampa International Airport expects 17 employers with more than 260 openings Wednesday, September 23, from 9 a.m. to noon. Some employers may interview or hire on site.

Historic Manhattan Casino reopening: St. Petersburg is reopening the renovated Deuces landmark to the public Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Full Calendar of Events here:

https://realtampabay.com/events

Hosting an event or running a local business? You can get in front of our audience too. Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected] to advertise with us.

For more current Tampa Bay events and openings, follow @realtampabay.dev.

06 / GO DEEPER